• SSTF@lemmy.world
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    7 hours ago

    HEAT is just a type of warhead. You can put it into lots of things. You are correct that the front of the warhead needs to be facing the target.

    In hand grenades, the penetrator usually faces down compared to the “stick”. The sticks in these grenades are not simple wooden sticks, but hollow metal ones containing parachutes. The grenade is meant to be thrown in a large arc or dropped from above (from a bridge or building) on to the tank. The parachute helps drag the back of the grenade and keep the penetrator pointed at the target (maybe).